Halls Thrift Store marks anniversary

Sandra ClarkOur Town Leaders

Jeff Melton is the quintessential Halls guy. He’s equally adept at felling a tree or marketing his inventory online. And you’ve gotta love a guy who opens his retail business at 10:30 a.m.

He posted his first-year anniversary on Facebook Monday and then closed for business. He was leaving to inspect an estate sale when a customer got out of his car and headed for the door of Halls Thrift Store. “Sorry, we’re closed today,” said Melton, even as he stood there by the open door. The potential customer just nodded and drove away.

“My parents thought I could never keep a job,” he said, “but I’ve always created my own job.”

Melton’s goal with Halls Thrift Store is to carry on the tradition of the old Halls Community Club – helping individuals and families who are down on their luck. “People ask why they don’t do that anymore, but those guys like my dad (Tom Melton) and Joe Smelser are dead.”

Melton’s mission is “to provide clothes, books, kitchen supplies, furniture and anything else your home might need at a price anyone can afford. We’re here to make it just a little easier being a family.”

His Facebook page is fun. You can always find a clean joke or a rare antique or a photo of some flowering “fence vines.” You might see a cute kid with a like-new bike.

Halls Thrift Store takes donations. Melton will do house/garage clean-outs for the contents. He also buys at estate or yard sales, but only at discounted prices. “We keep our store prices low, so we have to buy at a price we can keep things affordable for everyone.”

Since graduating from Halls High School in 1976, Jeff Melton has started several businesses. He says this one is his 14th. You may remember him from Melton Heating & Air or Flint Ridge Outdoors.

Halls Thrift Store is at 4021 Doris Circle. Turn off Maynardville Pike at Pilot. The store is in a long metal building on the left. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The number is 865-679-6480.

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